“The Essential Layers of Living Landscapes” – The richness of life in any landscape is linked to the richness of its layers, and this is true for both people and wildlife. Rick Darke will open with an illustrated discussion of the living layers in regional landscapes, as they occur naturally and as modified by human activity. This exploration will provide a basis for understanding the essential characteristics of healthy layers and how they can be conserved and enhanced in home gardens and community landscapes.10:00 – 10:30 am – Visit with Vendors/Trade Show

10:30 am-Noon – Rick Darke – “Designing and Maintaining the Living Landscape” – Rick Darke will illustrate and discuss how an understanding of living layers and relational biodiversity can be put to practical use in the making and maintenance of residential gardens and community landscapes. Strategies for employing “organic architecture” in creating beautiful, conserving, highly functional layers will be presented in detail.

12:15 – 1:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 – 1:15 – Special Membership Meeting

1:15 – 2:00 pm – Green Works Live Auction – Please donate a plant, book, tool, or item of your choice for the live auction! Proceeds from the auction fund horticulture-related education awards the Association grants each year. These students are the future of our industry. Bring your wallet!2:00 – 2:30 pm Visit with Vendors/Trade Show

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

2:30 – 4:00 pm “Interactive Tree Planting Demonstration/Discussion – Back to the Basics” w/VJ Comai, Bartlett Tree Experts – Many of the problems that lead to the premature decline and death of trees in the landscape can be attributed to problems below ground that could have been mitigated at the time of planting. Join us for an interactive demonstration and discussion about tree planting basics. We will review proper planting depth, container vs. B&B trees, common root problems, how to identify them and correct them, staking, mulching, soil/backfilling issues and follow-up care.

OR

2:30 – 3:30 pm “Body Basics – A Self-Care Clinic for Injury-Free Landscaping”– w/ Jason Wolstenholme, DC. Join Dr. Jason Wolstenholme, chiropractor and functional movement specialist from Movewell, Burlington, VT who previously worked as a landscaper for four years. Jason’s interactive presentation will focus on the most common movements that landscape crews perform. Jason will cover a basic daily warm-up and mobility session, proper body position related to the most common strains and some thing you can do everyday at home. Everyone should be able to perform basic maintenance on their muscles and joints. Our bodies and minds are the most important tool we have on the job, they deserve some attention and care. For more information about Jason please visit www.movewellvt.com.

3:30 – 4:30 pm. – “A Discussion on Pests and Diseases” w/Tim Schmalz, VT State Pathologist. Join Tim to discuss the pests and diseases that are plaguing our industry this season and in seasons to come. Learn about the best way to identify problems, best practices to use to avoid problems, and solutions to combat pests and diseases. Earns one (1) pesticide credit.

Speaker Profiles:

Rick Darke heads RICK DARKE LLC, a Pennsylvania-based consulting firm focused on landscape ethics, photography, and contextual design. Darke’s work blends art, ecology, and cultural geography in the design and management of living landscapes. Projects include parks, scenic byways, transportation corridors, corporate and collegiate campuses, conservation developments, post-industrial and historic brownfields, botanic gardens, and residential landscapes. His many books including The American Woodland Garden: Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest, The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes, and The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden co-authored with Doug Tallamy. For further information visit: www.rickdarke.com.

VJ Comai is native Vermonter, V.J. grew up with a deep appreciation and passion for the natural environment in the town of Readsboro at the southern end of the state. His love for the outdoors and his home state led him to the University of Vermont where he earned a BS in Community Forestry and Horticulture. Throughout his career, V.J. has been actively involved with the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association, most recently serving as the association’s president. Since 2008, he has been a member of the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council serving as an advisory board to the Vermont urban and community forestry program. V.J. is a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and is Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. His commitment to quality tree care and to maintaining the highest standards for professionalism in the industry led him to his position as an arborist representative with F.A. Bartlett Tree Experts.

Jason Wolstenholme, DC. is a chiropractor and functional movement specialist from Burlington, VT. Jason works with people of all ability levels to help them learn how to use their bodies more efficiently and how to prevent injuries. Prior to becoming a Chiropractor, Jason worked with a landscape crew for 4 years. He is all too familiar with the demands of the job and how the stress on the body can add up over the months and years.

Tim Schmalz has been the VT State Plant Pathologist since October, 2005. Prior to becoming plant pathologist, Tim worked in environmental and groundwater protection as a private consultant in VT, VA, NJ and PA. His educational background includes a BA in Geology from Colgate University, an MS (in- progress) in Forest Pathology and a GIS from UVM. His Master’s research focuses on statistical and spatial patterns of butternut canker
disease in VT.